HELPING HAND
Thousands of hard-up households eligible for £500 free cash to help with costs
Scroll down to see The Sun's interactive map that shows how much you can claim in your area
THOUSANDS of families struggling with financial hardships can now claim cost of living payments worth up to £500.
Cash-strapped households can get access to the money through the government's Household Support Fund (HSF).
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The pot of cash is handed out by local councils and it varies from area to area.
The aid was set up in 2021, however, it has been extended by the UK government a number of times.
How much you are eligible for is usually based on what benefits you already receive and your financial circumstances.
Cheshire East Council is now offering struggling families £500 grants to fight the cost of living.
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It said the aim is to provide crisis support to financially vulnerable households most in need.
The fund will also be available to support those who are struggling to afford household basics including food, energy, wider essentials, and exceptional costs.
Vouchers are available for £60 per adult, £100 per couple and then £20 per child (which can be applied for twice).
In addition to this, families can access wider essential support which can range from £500 and upwards.
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The Household Support Fund will also work with select local third-sector organisations to provide financial support to enhance their offer.
To claim the support money, a trusted professional who knows about your current situation and the help needed will be required to make a referral for you.
They can be education/school professional, support workers, family support workers, Citizen Advice, health professionals, registered housing providers, and domestic abuse services, as reported on the council's website.
The council estimates there would be over 10,000 individuals in Cheshire East who may be eligible.
Referrals for the household scheme can be made .
This fund will cover the period from September 2024 to April 2025.
What if I don't live in Cheshire?
It is not only households in Cheshire which get access to the fund.
The Household Support Fund is worth £421million to local authorities across the country.
The Sun recently shared a guide and interactive map which shows how much you can claim in your area.
Check it out by clicking the link here.
Some examples of what different areas are offering include in Plymouth, where the council said eligible residents can receive a maximum of £740 in vouchers.
This includes £240 in supermarket vouchers for either Asda, Morrisons, Tesco, Sainsburys, Aldi, or Iceland, and £200 in energy vouchers.
It also includes an essential item of household furniture or white goods or £300 of clothing vouchers.
Meanwhile, in Blackpool, households with one or two people - including children - will see £200 paid directly to their energy provider.
Those with three or more will get £300 paid towards their energy costs.
How to know if you qualify?
Financial support available to struggling households varies from council to council, so it is worth checking what schemes your local council offers to ensure you get all the support you need.
The benefits you already receive will not be impacted by applying for the HSF.
And, you do not necessarily need to receive benefits in the first place to get vouchers or funds from the HSF.
How do I apply?
To get the help, you'll need to check with your council - as local authorities are in charge of distributing the funding.
Information on how to apply for the funding should be published on your council's website. Each council will have a different application process.
If there's no information on your council's website, then it's best to ring them up and ask for more information.
How much can I get?
The exact amount of money available to you through the HSF scheme will depend on your council's criteria.
For example, low-income households in Bath and North East Somerset can get up to £500 in cash grants through its HSF funded Discretionary Crisis Fund.
Medway Council in Kent, South-East England, is offering thousands of households supermarket vouchers worth up to £225.
Some could qualify for electronic energy cards or e-vouchers to cover water bills worth £100 too.
In Cambridgeshire, residents in need of support can apply for a financial award of £110 per household.
Even better, residents can apply twice for support between 1 April and September 30 this year, meaning each household could be in line to receive as much as £220.
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The funds can be paid in a lump sum of £110 into your bank account, or split between different types of vouchers.
You should get in touch with your local council to see if you might be eligible for help.
How has the Household Support Fund evolved?
The Household Support Fund was first launched in October 2021 to help Brits pay their way through winter amid the cost of living crisis.
Councils up and down the country got a slice of the £421million funding available to dish out to Brits in need.
It was then extended for a second time in the 2022 Spring Budget and for a third time in October 2022 to help those on the lowest incomes with the rising cost of living.
The DWP then confirmed a fourth extension of the scheme through to March 31, 2024.
Former chancellor Jeremy Hunt extended the HSF for the fifth time while delivering his Spring Budget on March 6, 2024.
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